C8 Corvette Can Be Driven and Even Restarted Without Key Fob

The C8 Corvette comes with a convenience feature that also makes it easier for thieves to steal.

The C8 Corvette has been around for a while now, but its exotic supercar looks are still turning heads, and we aren’t just talking about the heads of folks that want to go out and buy one for themselves. Thieves are also attracted to the latest version of Chevy’s iconic sports car, an unfortunate side effect of popularity. So it’s fairly shocking to learn that the C8 Corvette can be not only driven away without a key fob present in the vehicle but also restarted, as YouTuber Rick Conti recently discovered.

The rise of the key fob itself has led to the former phenomenon in any vehicle, as most can be driven without the fob present, at least for short distances. However, several folks commented on this video and pointed out that the C8 can be driven without the fob inside the cabin for as long as one wants, while other vehicles have a range limit of some sort in place. A warning screen pops up, as is typical in most vehicles, but it also points out that one restart is allowed, which is somewhat alarming.

It’s worth pointing out that the C7 Corvette also allowed someone to drive the car for an unspecified distance without the key fob present in the vehicle as well, but it’s unclear why this is the case. Regardless, this simple fact means that C8 owners will need to be a little more vigilant to ensure that this little convenience feature doesn’t wind up making it easy for a thief to drive off with their shiny new sports car.

The best way to prevent theft is to always turn off your car and lock your doors, but the C8 won’t let you lock it using the door lock button while the engine is running. Thus, owners will certainly want to make sure the car is off and they have the key fob on their person before they walk away, perhaps more so than most vehicles out there at the moment, especially since that practice is actually illegal in some states now.

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